Fluid-conveying apparatus



Aug. 14, 192s.

w. c. wHn-E v FLUID CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed Jun 24, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet (Midler (arman Win76 W /VM Aug. 14, 1928.

w. c. WHITE FLUID CONVEYING APPARATUS Filed June 24, 1924 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Aug.` I4, 1,928. j uruiifzo s'rATEs p Warren .Cammy WHrrE, or PITTSBURGH, rnnnsyrvnir'rii,

rLUJrneoNfvEYmo Prepares f, appucaeionmed Jane 24,1924.. serial No. 1,122,000.

i This invention relates .to :Huid .conveying devices `und Amore inparticular to apparatuses intended for .loading or @unloading oil in ships. i

-neoflvthe main objects .of this invention is to provide an `apparatus .whereby the use of fast deteriorating rubber hose to load ships `Withgoil, or unload said oil, `may be replaced by durable `metallic kpiping having the necessary .flexibility required :tor such purposes.V .Another `object iste provide lan apparatus permitting rtlie use offvery much ship.

greater workingpressures for conveyingoil than allowable lwith. rubber hose, .thereby greatlyv reducing the time required for loading Aor unloading 'u .given amount of goil. A. further object is `to provide an apparatus wherein all 'flexible 'oints used in connection Atherewith are su stantially .self-sealing .under all `conditions of `pressure prevailing in `the conveyedliquid. lStill another `object is to devise an apparatus .built substan- `tially along the lines of a boom-derrick, in which the derrick-pole, for mast, vand the boom are used `to rconvey ,fthe fluid. `Still a further objectis .to provide an apparatus in which the renewal of packing in the derrick-pole may be performed rapidly .and With `the minimum of trouble. Additional features and advantages of `this invention will appear from the `following,description considered in connection with the .accompartying drawings, in which:

#Figwl is a general, viewashowing the .a paratus in position for loading, or unloa ing, an .oil carrying ship., i

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-.sectional.elevation through the apparatus shown `in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a fractional cross-section showing a modifiedconstruction ofthe apparatus. Fig. 4 is a sideelevationwof .F ig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a detail View illustrating Vthe arrangement oil?` the blocks and ltackles .also shown in Fig; l.

Fig. 6 .isxa fragmentary side view .of a modified construction showing a tubular adjustable arm, orboom, used in my invention.

Fig. 7 is atop plan viewiof Fig. 6.v

Fig. 8 is a cross-section through one lof "the flexible joints usedin connection with my apparatus. l A

F ig. 9 is a'general view showing another modification of `m apparatusin 4position for loading or un oading an oil: carrying iFig. L10. is a fragmentary firent` elevation .of .the tiitablc column, or inast, used in Fig. Y

sitions. i

.a Vfractional view Ishowing a .crosswsection throughthe mast and supply tube of lthis modified construction;

Referring .to .the various figures, my apparatus consists .of .a vertical ,column -1 `centrally bored to Slidably receive the tubular .pole 2 Within .Whic-his `located .the supply tube 3 longitudinal-fly adjustable therein. The .column is provided.. at thebottom -with the flanged :base 4i whereby it Iis secured to the floor-5 byfrneans of `bolts .6. 'The latter also .serves as holding Vmeans Vforthe basecap 7 iin which is .provided ithe inlet aperture 8 properly tapped at its Iouter yend to J,receive ,the .oil-supply line i9, .landing A:to `any `desired supply itankor Jump (not shown). l illn .order .to properly direct .the flow Yof oil and .to y preme-nt :leakage theredf, .a stuiing tbox comprising a olloiverqring l0, the packing :1-1 .and the .bevelled .shoulder 12 lo- .ca-ted rat itlie ilower ,end of the tubular pole 2 :1s introduced `between thecOlu-mn and `the 9, showing said .mast in tvvoarbitrary pooutsideof tlie-supply-tube. .The latter .is` .furnished at .rits `bottom `end rivith a flange 18 .whichjsenves L.as a 'baril-race for the, ball;

`thrust-bearing '114,- .the lower ballsrace of grooves :17 are cutin thebore of thecolumn, Y

' `:thus allowing fthe .oil yto` pass -through the Lopen .-spacesl8, between the ball-races and act Yupon .the follower-rings freely. 'A gasket 19 isinserted between the base-cut sand .the foot of lthe column to make the connection between -these parts oil-tight. The top of the column is closed by a threaded cap 20 which acts as a guide `and llimit-stop eforzthe tubular pole, While at the same ftimepreventing .the entrance of dirt- '.inthe column.V l p n j Connected at right .angles lto ythe supply :tube and supported by 'a brace :69 is the `tubular ar1n,.or boom, 21 fthr'ough Which the Y oil 'is -transferred'i'to the shipQQ by means `of wthe tubular `link-members '23, 2li .and 25,

the straight flexible pipe joint :26the double .elbovv flexible .pipe jomts v27, 28,29 .and ithe single .elbow yflexible Lpipe vjoint 30. The

` of the ship and secured thereon in a flange 32 provided on the ship.A

The manipulation of the tubular links is effected by means of the cables 33 and 34 connected to the block and tackle apparatnses 35 and 36 and secured respectively to the tubularlinks23 and25 by means of the clamps 37 and 38. Suitable sheaves 39 and 40 are-mounted on the end of the boom 21 to guide these cables. The blocks and tackles, in turn, are voperated by. the pullropes 441 and 42, the free ends ofwhich are tied, Vafter `proper adjustment of the links has been attained, to any suitable stationary anchoringmeans, such as the hook 43er the cleat 44.

Similarly, the desired angular position of Vthe boom in an horizontalplane is maintained by means 'of guy-ropes 45, the lower ends ofwhich are tied to anchor-hooks 46.

As shown in F ig. 2, suitableplugs 47 and 47 are inserted respectively in the supplytube and the boom-to properly direct or limit the flow of oil. a

The compression in the stuliing box may be varied by means 'of an adjusting4 nut 48 engaging suitable threads 48L cut outwardly on' the upper end ofthe tubular' pole, said nut acting upon across-pin 49 secured in the supply-tube. As will be noted in Fig. 2, when the'ynut is raised, it Awill cause the cross-pin to lift the wholeV supply tube within the tubular-pole,y thus compressing the packing 'in the stuiiin kbox.L In order to take care of this relative ongitudinal movement between the supply-tube4 andthe tubular pole, the latter is provided withelonvgated apertures 50 andy 51 to accommodate respectively the boom. i For the purpose lof renewing the packing of the stufiing box, a lifting jack 52, of "any suitable and desired typeyis placed undercross-pin and the tubular- Vneath` the base-cap, the/bolts 6 are removed and the base-cap slowly lowered`until the packing is fully exposed to enable the mechanic to wrap new'packingmaterial around the supply-tube. fThis done,Y the cap 'and tubes are again raised into position and the v V:bolts properly tightened.

, pole.

In Fig. 3-is'shown a modified.construction which consists in extending the supply-tube a suilicient amount to serve' as the derrick- The upper end of the tube is closed up and is provided with the bifurcated lsupport 53 between which are rotatably mounted the pull-rope sheaves 54. This modiication, therefore, 1 eliminates the wooden pole 55 which is inserted in the widened end 56 of the tubular polei2, shown lin Figs. l, 2 yand 4. In the constructionsfso far described, the tubular boom211is fixedly connected to the supply tube. `In Figs. 6 and 7 is illustrated lthe apparatus, and whic ,a short nipple 58, welded or otherwise secured thereon, 'and the sin le elbow flexible pipe-joint 59 connecting said nipple with the tubular boom. The latter is also rovided with another wsingle elbow flexible plpe-joint 60 to which the first tubular link 23 is connected. The boom is closed-at its outer end and is provided with a forked support 61 between which is mounted the sheave 62 engaged by the rope 63 of a block and tackle set (notshown), whereby the angular position of the vboom in a vertical plane may be varied.

Fi 8 shows in detail the construction of the exible pipe-joints referabl used in matter of prior letters patent issued to vmyself. Referring to this` ligure, the single elbow flexible pipe joint represented thereby comprises a sleeve hemisphere 64, a gasket 65, a follower 66 and a socket-cup 67 securely held together by the threaded socket-nut 68.

In the modified construction `shown in Figs. 9 to 11, the column 70 and the supplytube 7l are so mounted as to be tiltable in all directions to accommodate `all possible variations in the location of ships. This is done by providing on the supply line 72 the horizontal pipe section 73 carried adjacent the water-front in an expansion sleeve-coupling 74,. of usual construction, which permitstherotation of the short nipple 75 to rotate on itsaxis. At the forward end of this'short pipeissecured the socket-cup portion of ,the double elbow flexible joint 76, whereas the lsleeve hemispherey of said joint is fastened in any desired manner to the column 70. i

It will be seen in Fig. l1 that the supply i vtube 71' isA slidably mounted within the column and that this connection is made water tight by means of a stulling-box arrangement consisting of the packing 77 compressed between an uppery bevelled :follower 78 and a lower follower 79 provided with the spacer lugs 80 resting upon a plunger 81 screwedl onthe lower end of the supply tube. This plungeris provided with formt e subject i outward grooves 82 to permit the liquid under pressure to act against the lower :tollower, thereby assisting in compressing the packing andinsuring a tight connection.

Additional adjustment of the packing, rom the outside, is obtained by means of the pipe 83 surrounding the supply-tube and resting/onthe 'top follower 78. The upper x .end of said pipe is screwed into the threaded vnut 84 and the lock-nut 85, the former .bearing against the underside, of the double telbow-ilexible joint 86 secured at the u per end of the supplytube 71.v It will e seen thatby turning the nut 84 inthe proper direction, the pipe 83 may bc oreed 'downwardly upon ythe upper lfollower until the Ildesired pressure on tie pack/ing is obtained and locked in this position by means of the lock-nut 85.

rThe outward movement 'of the supply tube is limited by means 'of fthe threaded cap '87' "engaging the upper 'end of theV column 70, said cap also 'preventing fthe entrance of foreign matter within the column. y

Secured Vto the flexible joint 86 is the first vtubular link member, or boom, 88 at the upper 'end of which is connected by means of Ithe. doubleelbow flexible `joint 89 the second tubular link member 90. rllhe latter is, in turn, securedto the filling tube 91 by means ofthe double elbow flexible joint 92 land the '1.mionelbow93. p

The rfirst and second tubular link members are 'individually manipulated by the derricks 94 and 9b; ythe former being erected 'onthe dock gti-and 4the latter forming part of the fe'quipmento-f the ship 97. A valve 9S is also shown in Fig. `9 te control the flow oi the liquid 'fuel through the apparatus.

Assisted by the foregoing description `and ithe "drawings, the method ofl operating my apparatus 'will be readily 'understood with 'out requiring detailed description. Suflices to say that `in the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, for instance, the position of the various "tubular-links 23, 24 and 25 is adjusted by means of the blocks and tackles to accommodate the variations in the level 4of the ship, jduewjtothe load orftide The single elbow flexible pi e joint 30 is then connectedv to the filling tu e 3l and the supply valve (not shown), connecting the apparatus to the supply tank is then opened to permit the fluid to flow into the ship. It will be noted that'the minor movements of the ship, due to waves or other causes, will be readily taken care of by the flexibly connected tubular-links. Greater movements of the ship are dealt `with by means of the blocks and tackles commanding said tubular links. Referring also to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the sealing effect of the stuffing box is greatly assisted by the weight of the tubular mast and the other parts carried thereby.

As will be understood, as suggested herein, there may be slight changes made in the construction and arrangement of they details of my invention without departing from the field and scope of the same, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the sphere of the appended claims, in this ap'- plication in which the preferred forms only of my invention have been disclosed.

What I claim is 1. In a fluid conveying apparatus, a centrally apertured vertical n guide-sleeve; means for securing same to a stationary foundation; a base-cap positioned below said guide-sleeve and adapted to close the lower end thereof; a tubular -mast guided by said sleeve for rotative and longitudinal movement.; packing `means i ositioned vat the llower 'end olpsaid mast; `adjustable supporting means adapted to lower. 'said base-cap and Vexpose said packing below said 4guides'leeve.; a tubular boom connected to `said mast; a `supply line connected to said basecap; said base cap, mastand boom being 4jointly adapted toconvey therethrough fluids carried by said supply-line.

l 2. In a fluid conveying apparatus, a centrally apertured vertical guide-sleeve; means for securing same to a stationary `foundation; atubular mast coinprising an outer tube and an inner-tube slidable therein and having a flange at its lower end; pack ingmeans positioned around said inner tube and on vsaid flangeand adapted to be compressed by the weight of said outer tube; a`

tubular boom connected `to said inner tube; said inner tube and boom being jointly adapted toV convey fluids therethrough.

3. Ina fluid conveying apparatus, a centrally apertured vertical guide-sleeve; `means for securing same to a stationary `foundation; a base-cap positioned below said guide-sleeve and adapted to closeY the flower end thereof; a tubular :mast guided by said sleeve for rotative and longitudinal movement; packing means positioned at the lower end of said mast; means to regulate the compressionon said packing; a supply line connected to said base-cap; adjustable supporti-ng means adapted toV lower said base-'cap .and expose 'thereby said packing 1lil() below said guide-sleeve; a tubular boom connected to said mast; said base-cap; mast and boom being jointly adapted to convey therethrough fluids carried by said supply,

line.

4. In a fluid conveying apparatus, a centrally apertured vertical guide-sleeve; means for securing same to a stationary foundation; a base-cap positioned below said guide-sleeve .and adapted to close the lower end thereof; a tubular mast guided by said sleeve for rotation and longitudinal Y movement; a supply-tube positioned within said mast; packing means surrounding the supply-tubev and positioned adjacent the lower ends of said mast and 'supply-tube; a supply-line connected to said base-cap; ad-

justable supporting means adapted to lower said base-cap and expose thereby said packing below said guide-sleeve; a tubular boom connected to said supply-tube, and means adapted to produce relative longitudinal movement between said mast and supplytube for varying the pressure on said pac ing means; said base-cap, supply-tube and boom being jointly adapted to convey therethrough fluids carried by said supply-line.

5. In a fluid conveying apparatus, a centrally apertured vertical guide-sleeve; means for securing the same to a stationary foundation; a base-cap positioned below said guide-sleeve andy adapted to close the lower .end thereof; a. tubular niast guided by said sleeve for rotation and longitudinal movement, Lsaid mast having threads cut adjacent the upper end thereof; a supply `tube positioned Within said mast for longitudinal movement therein; packing means surrounding the supply tube and positioned adjacent the lowerlends of said mast and supply tuhe; a nut positioned on the threaded portionof the mast and a stop .1novement', said mast' having` threads cut adjacent the upper end thereof; a supplytube positioned within said mast for longitudinal movement therein; packing means surrounding the supply-tube and positioned adjacent the lowerends of said mast and supply-tube; a"v nut positioned on the :threaded portion of the mast, and a stop positioned on saidfsupply-tube adapted to be engaged by said nut whereby the pressure on ythe packing means may be increased by forcing said nut against said stop; ymeans positioned on said mast to provide clearance-space for the vertical movement of said booni; said base-cap, supplytube and boom being jointly adapted to convey there throughv fluids carried by said supply-line.

7. In a fluid conveying apparatus, a centrally apertured vertical guide-sleeve; means for securing the sameto a stationary foundation; a base-cap positioned below said guide-sleeve and adapted to close the lower end thereof; a tubular mast guided by said 'sleeve for rotation and longitudinal movement, said mast having threads cnt adjacent the upper end thereof; afsupplytube positioned withinlsaid mast for longitudinal niovementtherein; vpacking means surrounding thewsupply-tube and positioned adjacent the ylower ends of said mast and supply-tube; a nut positioned Y on the threaded portion of the mast' and astop positioned on said supply-tube adapted to be engaged by said nut whereby the pressure on the packing means may be increased by forcing said nut against said stop; Said mast having an aperture adapted to be engaged by said boom to'provide clearance for the vertical travel thereof; said basecap; supply-tube and boom being jointly adapted to convey therctlu'oughfluids carried by said supply-line. j

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

WALTER CARMAN WHITE. 

